Persona 4’s Protagonist Has Been Working Out

Atlus have revealed the box art for the Japanese version of Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. (Thanks, 4Gamer) Judging by the cover, it looks like Yu’s been working out—and judging by those scars, he isn’t afraid to rumble.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax will be available in North America this Fall for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. A European release for the game has not been announced yet.

You are guaranteed to see “him” before the end of the game. 4Gamer confirmed a character whose name they “couldn’t reveal” that “fans have certainly been hoping for” will appear in the story. Two weeks ago when Ken and Koromaru were announced in Famitsu, it also said we will see “that character” from Persona 3.

Personally, sounds like “he’s” going to be like Baiken in the first Guilty Gear game. The final opponent to be fought provided with an in-game condition met or satisfied. (No continues, etc.)

DeathTurn

I doubt it will be anything that restrictive. “He” is confirmed as an NPC so far, so meeting him is inevitable. I strongly suspect “he” will ultimately Malevolent Entity’s (Nyarlathotep’s) one true vessel.

About the Entity’s or, The Crawling Chaos’ desire to inhibit “him..” Why do you think he recently chose with such plan?

Did his last encounter and ultimate defeat at the hands of past Persona users (P2 Eternal Punishment) left him greatly weakened that he needs a powerful vessel to sustain him?

Or, it is just inhibiting “him” would be very beneficial/useful to continue his goal to thrust mankind into destruction, whilst inhibiting a powerful vessel in case he’ll once again be facing formidable opposition in the form of strong Persona users just like the last time?

DeathTurn

I am 100% certain Nyarlathotep is still weakened from “whoop-ass time” with Maya and Tatsuya. Remember how Philemon could not manifest physically after he was weakened after Innocent Sin? Nyarlathotep is currently in a similarly compromised and enervated state. This is why he needs the “one true vessel” to amplify his power.

Seeing as though “he” formerly was the vessel of the incarnation of Death itself for 10 years, he is the most viable option if the “vessel” is something already established in canon. Added to the fact he is the sole Persona user to evoke the power of The Universe, which not even Igor expected to lay eyes on: an arcana which has the power to bring about a “new beginning” or “ultimate end”, it just makes the most sense.

…I personally cannot fathom what would constitute as a remotely comparable or more suitable “vessel” than “him.” It’s implications on the story would be the ultimate middle finger to the P3 cast.

It is dreadful indeed should Nyarlathotep end up possessing “him.” If “he” was able to create a “miracle” back in P3 by sealing Nyx away from humanity’s collective nihilistic desires/Erebus, one would dread with horror if the Crawling Chaos end up possessing “him..” He could invoke a great calamity to end humanity. (Ultimate End)

Yes, I too believe that after Nyarlatothep has lost much of his potency after his defeat in Eternal punishment. But alas, he’s an undeniable existence as long as humans are around; as if he can only be kept at bay or suppressed. (As he declares upon being defeated.)

Guest

Also perhaps it is akin to pouring salt to the P3 gang’s hidden wound. It’s like the Crawling Chaos wanted to ruin “his” sacrifice to keep the hope of living alive in humanity in midst of their imperfections and fragile weaknesses— and perhaps in order for one day, as Philemon mentioned and believed, humans can ascend into a greater destiny/existence.

Hagaren

Remember one of the early images where he gets suplexed by Aegis?
He’s been hitting the gym ever since…

Tony

I know, right? He must’ve seen how Ike looks now and decided to follow suit.

God

Dude, he has always been ripped, Swag alone won’t get you a harem.

LordHyper

Do you think this means that the roster is filled? All of the characters announced are up here, and this seems like definite official art that wouldn’t leave anyone out.

Minato is all but confirmed, but he’s not going to be put in the box art for obvious reasons.

Mikari✘

What do you mean he’s confirmed? I so wish that’s true somehow.

ArminJrpg

P4 ultimax has something to do space time travel….one can Wish

Emd23

“All but.” Malevolent Entity’s desire is to gain the “One True Vessel” which is probably Minato, who Elizabeth is trying to free. Famitsu says that there’s “that character” from P3 that everyone wants but they’re not allowed to say his name. New World Fool and Burn My Dread were missing from the song list but New World Fool was added alongside Adachi.

And Elizabeth said in her arcade mode that Minato is at the top of the Tartarus Sho raised. This adds with her realization that BONDS is what will free Minato, the fact every cast member of P3 is gathered in one place, and the fact that the first scene of Persona Q has Elizabeth and Minato discussing the P4 cast and the BONDS Minato formed with them.

So all the signs are there that the final boss will be Malevolent Entity possessed Minato.

Aunna Terrell

Interesting idea. But I guess we’ll see.

DeathTurn

Spot on. However, I would like to add Elizabeth is referring to Sho in regards to her “reunion”, as she explicitly refers to him as “the boy without a Persona.” The translation of “reunion” led many of us to assume she was talking about Makoto.

But as for Makoto being Malevolent Entity’s vessel and him being revived with BONDS: that’s exactly how I see this game ending.

Mikari✘

Wow, thanks for telling me all that and giving me hope to see Minato in this game! I wish he appears! *o*

Only beacuse Minato is busy with, you know, stoping mankind’s destruction and all.

Vesperion

I blame it on God

God

You mean, like you always do?

Ric Vazquez

LOL!

Ibuki Mioda

Yu didn’t choose the Thug Life. Thug Life chose Yu.

657rod

Just saying how about SMTXFireEmblem e.e

657rod

Perofella Arena Boxart

Ciphermask

His is the swagger that shall pierce the heavens!

Rose Spinoza

Ahahaha, well, alright then! Nice to see a little fanservice for the ladies every once in a while :) .

Dominic Adams-Sanchez

Rise reaching out towards the truth…of dem abs.

NeptuniasBeard

It is now canon that Yu Narukami is THE most badass character in the persona verse!

lesangpro .

still waiting for Makoto to come back and kick his ass .

NeptuniasBeard

Some puny kid going up against the man who can fight, cook, AND dance? He’ll lose that battle son. He’ll lose that battle 9 times out of 10.

Jedahaw

It may be true that Yu can do all those things, but Makoto/Minato will always be the best to me.

Have you seen the P3 movie? Can you imagine the steps?

Surgeon of Death

THIS

Mirai

Sorry Yu fans but Minato is all-round more badass than Yu is. For starters in P3 and FES Minato can wield multiple weapons and use fusion skills like “Armageddon”. Minato can also cook and dance better than Yu can.

NeptuniasBeard

That may be true. But Yu has the genius steps. Your argument is invalid.

Mirai

And Minato has the moon-walking! I know which one I would prefer.

Rayhan PromisedGallery

Minato/Makoto’s first night when he transfer is a city full of coffin. Yet he’s just walking, hearing music, and doesn’t give any shit like a true badass.

The anime makes it more badass

NeptuniasBeard

Not caring that a bunch of people are suddenly coffins isn’t really a sign of badassery. At best, he would have absolutely no sense of self-preservation. At worst, he’s a sociopath with a “**** you, got mine!” philosophy.

Yu ain’t afraid to show feelings, he ain’t afraid to cry. And he STILL keeps fighting.

Gettin’ bitches, cooking and dancing is an afterthought to the SUPER SACRIFICE OF THE ONE AND ONLY PIMP JESUS.

DwillXXII

P3MC never stops fighting either so that point is completely pointless. Yes Yu can cook and dance but that makes him more effeminate if anything. P3MC is a true badass and his legacy will always live on. P3MC was chosen as the wielder of the Universe Arcana not Yu. Without P3MC Yu wouldn’t even be alive, therefore P3MC’s life isn’t dependent on Yu but Yu and all of humanity’s is dependent on P3MC.

Winner: Makoto Yuki

transferstudentx

lol even here fan girls are fighting over him

Kumiko Akimoto

You’re wrong both are terrible. Minako would kill everyone .

Mirai

Sorry, but the fact that Minako has a romance option with a kid like Ken puts her below the other two.

Kumiko Akimoto

That’s not fair, that’s playing dirty.

lesangpro .

bitch please , the one who can shoot himself with a gun clearly the winner here .

NeptuniasBeard

Any chump on the edge of despair can shoot himself. Yu doesn’t go for that crap!

Kami nii

I know how you love Yu so much I understand that. Its your opinion but lets stop this stupid arguments on who’s the Best MC. Its plain stupid each represents different aspects of life Makoto-Death/Sacrifice , Yu-Truth.I for one like Makoto more because I believe in what he stands for but I won’t bash the other MC of the series for that. Why not accept that they are all great in they’re own way? is that hard to do? This arguments on who’s better is really pointless.

Revolver Jesus Super Pimp

Finally somebody with some goddamn common sense

LightZero

Nah Baofu and Tatsuya still got that crown. But Yu is up there.

NeptuniasBeard

Oh really? Where’s their belt, huh?

That’s what I thought

Emd23

In all seriousness, Igor said in the EP remake that P1’s Maki Sonomura is the strongest Persona user lol

Apparently he took some tips from his voice actor and got Johnny Yong BUFF! x3

Arz

People bitch that the main character now has official name and personality, but I for one welcome our new overlord Yu Narukami

God

I don’t mind them giving him a personality, what i can’t stand is how generic his personality is, couldn’t he be more like his anime self?

Kornelious

Wow, I hope that we get the same box art :D

Also I’ve been wondering why they keep the name Persona 4, yes it revolves mostly around Persona 4’s story but the amount of character from the 3rd game appearing in this game rival the 4th. Makes me wonder why it’s just not called “Persona Arena”……but that’s just me :P

LordHyper

Because P1/P2 has been forgotten and P4 has taken over.

Kornelious

Fair enough :P

Sinful

A black butterfly appears in Shadow Aigis’s winning animation. From what I remember, a black butterfly was present in Persona 2.

Yan Zhao

All the Narukami fangirls in the world must be shrieking in delight right now.